I would like to present you one article which is strictly connected with my research as I am dealing with deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease. In this particular case subjects are stimulated in order to recover from motoric problems but lately more and more articles are published regarding behavior or/and emotional manipulation of brain using minor currents. Example for this could be following article:
http://www.iflscience.com/brain/electrical-signals-change-monkeys-choices
Please read the article and answer below questions (or just give your thoughts on the topic :) ):
1. Do you think behavior manipulation is ethical ?
2. Can you think of any positive appliance of such techniques ?
3. Would you apply such technique to yourself if it would for example help you get rid of some trouble some habit of yours ? (eg. smoking, drinking or polygamy :))
I think the behaviour manipulation is quite common in our world. It is done using psychology, chemistry, physical stimuli, etc. In my opinion if behaviour stimuli are done to help somebody, do not hurt this person they will be ethical. A few weeks ago we discussed about philosophy. Personally I think this is one from possible good questions for philosophers.
ReplyDeleteApart from treating ill people changing behaviours can be used to recover criminals to society (for instance the chemical castration). Personally I would worry a little about using behaviour manipulation for normal healthy people. I would not like to live in a society in which all people behave in the same way.
I hope I will never be addicted by anything so much to be forced for applying electrical currents to my brain (or other parts of my neural system). But I have already changed my opinions so many times that I would not be deprived such a possibility.
What do you think about applying such technique for features that are socially not accepted and if would be compulsory by law to control such features?
DeleteI am not in favour for forcing all people to do anything (like implanting some electrodes into their brains) for avoiding some hypothetical situation. The other situation is for criminals which have already been judged and condemned. I think if society allows for special treatment of such people (i.e. taking some medicines) that using currents could be an another method.
DeleteI am not sure if using currents is researched enough to stay an another method for criminals’ rehabilitation nowadays (maybe some harmful consequences of using currents appear several years later). If so I am for it.
Science has always associate with immoral ethics can not predict how people will use scientific achievements.
ReplyDeleteYour research is certainly exciting. Sea invent drugs TAPS electric stimulation of the brain that stimulates the secretion of endorphins into the blood. For sure many people will be lucky. Many will be unhappy. But everyone will have a choice.
Behavior manipulation by brain stimulation clearly shows that we are not that different than a computer which you can program to do certain things and then control/manipulate it to act differently. For the people that believe that we got a soul and that there is a greater being controlling the course of our life the answer is it is unethical (unless they bring up the argument that the greater being controls the hand of the scientists who manipulate your behavior :) ). Nonbelievers will probably tell you that unless there will be some benefit (it depends for whom that benefit will be though) then it is OK.
ReplyDeleteIf I could decide on the parts of my behavior that I consider flaws and had a full understanding of how my mind works and a complete guarantee that the changes I chose would for sure be applied without any complications, I would probably undergo such a procedure to advance my abilities and seek the ideal.
Well, when mixing religion with science many lifesaving procedures could be considered as unethical such as blood transfusion, organ transplants or in vitro fertilization.
DeleteThis intrusion to take control over our free will has long been suspected. Some people even wear tin-foil hats for this reason, we can laugh, but it looks like they were right? Well, actually we can laugh anyway, because according to some studies the tin-foil hats (usually aluminium) only amplify the signals they are supposed to protect against (the ones that are being broadcasted by the government to control us, of course).
ReplyDeleteMaybe we could use similar technology to create a control interface that reads our thoughts? Maybe it could work both ways? That's one application which would be useful and non-controversial.
Are you sure that thoughts reading is not controversial? And what about situation when someone "hacks" someone's brain and know secret information?
Delete1. Do you think behavior manipulation is ethical ?
ReplyDeleteEverything can be ethical or not ethical depends on what are your purpose of action.
In this case if in feature behavior manipulation allow us to cure some mental dissed or solve addiction problem we will be call it ethical. On the other side if some people will try use this manipulation to some other purpose like changing people opinions or taste it will not be ethical. But as far i understand this material there is still plenty of research to be done to start this practice on a human. Another important issue is if is ethical to make this kind of research on animals like monkey's. We do not know how harmful this signals are to animal mental state. Perhaps these scientists are able to investigate whether the macaque does not feel pain but we know that not only the physical pain can cause suffering.
2. Can you think of any positive appliance of such techniques ?
It can have positive appliance like fighting with strong addictions or obsessions.
3. Would you apply such technique to yourself if it would for example help you get rid of some trouble some habit of yours ? (eg. smoking, drinking or polygamy :))
If this would be something serious, like a heroin addiction or any paranoid mental illness I would consider it.
What about some minor things? Would you still consider it?
DeletePiotr, you touched very important topic concerning sanity. Is it safe for our mental state? In fact, we're not able to exactly investigate this matter until testing it on humans. Our mental structure is much more complex than animal, and only long-term studies will answer this question. In addition, it may depends on the individual nature of every human being. And then again we are coming back to the question of whether all this is ethical ...
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ReplyDeleteThe idea seems very questionable from ethical point of view and will certainly cause a lot of debates. In theory, it's not that much different from parents rewarding their children for actions they deem appriopriate. "Good" behaviour is being promoted and all is well.
ReplyDeleteThe issue here is that it's directly affecting our brain. Instead of growing as humans thanks to outside stimuli and contact with other people, we're changed through electricity. In a way, it's not different from using drugs and that is a huge debate already.
That's not even getting into the ways this could be abused. While positive appliance immediately spring to mind in form of curing various addictions, dealing with depression or other psychological problems, there is a darker side here. Depending on how far the research can go, it could very well make mind control a reality. Not to the degree we see it in science fiction shows, of course, but altering the very brain of a human being can change him on a fundamental level. Adjust their beliefs, morality, loyalty towards values they would never even consider before such change.
It's a very thin line between the positives and negatives. Having said that, I wouldn't mind taking advantage of this method. While I'm not yet sure what exactly I'd like to change about myself and would need to think about it in details, the potential for self-improvement is pretty staggering. Far too big for me to ignore because of "ethical" issues. Assuming, of course, it's properly tested, safe and I'm in hands of a professional, instead of some back alley surgeon messing with my brain.
If it would be safe and there were no side effects, would you be more willing to apply this procedure to yourself?
Delete1- I Think it's quite normal, new scientific discoveries require creative thinking. if such unorthodox methods leads for example to succesful treatment of diseasis than how can they be immoral or unethical ?
ReplyDelete2- Unfortunetely no :(
3- Probably I will agree,
The topic of interfering with someone's brain using electrodes / chemicals or other direct measures seems very controversial. Even if the outcomes of such a treatment can be of benefit to us, not many would consider this way of treatment (me included). I do not consider such techniques as unethical - I believe that if someone decides to go through such a treatment he is well aware of the consequences and risks. Although I would never want to see the day in which such a treatment would be used without someone's consent I (even as a purpose of rehabilitating criminals).
ReplyDeleteAs I stated before, I would never go through such a therapy. I believe in handling my own issues without external intervention - I quit smoking some time ago and I am strong on not going down that road again.
1. I've seen many videos where people try to manipulate animals and insects as well and I don't like it (actually hate). You can also buy a set to modificate the cockroach with battery (this is normal?),
ReplyDelete2. Not for me,
3. Only in situation when this can save my life.
1. Do you think behavior manipulation is ethical ?
ReplyDeleteIt depends on situation in some cases it can be ethical for example if that manipulation will help ill people then I think that this is ok. But if someone will use that manipulation for their own benefits in order to achieve more money or a better social position that for sure it isn't ethical.
2. Can you think of any positive appliance of such techniques ?
I agree with Grzegorz that positive appliance of such techniques can be use for recovery criminals to society
3. Would you apply such technique to yourself if it would for example help you get rid of some trouble some habit of yours ? (eg. smoking, drinking or polygamy :))
To be honest probably I will never agree to apply such kind of technique to my self
because to agree to something like that I'd have to have complete confidence to the person who would apply these techniques on me.
1. Do you think behavior manipulation is ethical ?
ReplyDeleteIt all depends on points of view. Science knows many unethical researches that yielded positive results. If the study would be on people who are totally aware of the unforeseen consequences it seems acceptable to me. However there always may appear researchers who will not be guided by ethics and allow abuse. And that I fear the most.
2. Can you think of any positive appliance of such techniques ?
Like colleagues I think this may be useful treatment of obsessions, addictions and serious mental illness. It is also the next stage of research that can bring more understanding of how human brain works.
3. Would you apply such technique to yourself if it would for example help you get rid of some trouble some habit of yours ? (eg. smoking, drinking or polygamy :))
It is very tempting, and maybe one day under the supervision of a trusted person I would try to correct selected flaws in my character, but on the other hand I have a lot of concerns. Maybe it does leave some scratches on the mental health. It should be investigated. Besides I would be afraid of losing my free will and possibility that someone will start to control me without my awareness.
Attempts to manipulate the human brain are not ethical. If you lead to the
ReplyDeletetreatment is a good reason why research. Disease of our the brain are the
problems: anxiety, alcohol, etc. If brain research will lead to the
improvement of the social situation I'm all for research. If it has then I can
help promote this research. I think it is not too bad influence on our lives.